Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Surgery Day! and beyond: Part 2



Recommended Posts

I am also not hunched over at all. I stand up completely straight. I am not forcing it, either. When I cough I can feel the tightness, but it's already improved. It just doesn't feel tight or painful. I'm purposely not lifting heavy and trying not to use my arms much anyways. Will have a thorough update tomorrow from the doc.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

here's where the arm drain is clipped. the garment goes down to my wrist. I had some minor bleeding on my right elbow where the drain is connected. and some minor bleeding on my right hip where the drain is connected. totally normal. the two lower drains are hooked to my pants waistband. they are pretty annoying because the tubes are so long. and my cats want to attack them. aaaaaa20191121_075746.jpeg 20191121_075810.jpeg

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Do you have super high pain tolerance?

@mousecat88: yeah, am wondering the same thing as @FluffyChix above! Did you find recovery from WLS the same level of non-issue for pain? soreness/stiffness?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you have super high pain tolerance?
I don't think I have a particularly high pain tolerance. Average? lol. I am dead serious that this has been a painless endeavor. The only thing that is uncomfortable is coughing and my back is sore. I am also barely draining a thing. I am psyched to go to my followup tomorrow to see if he will take one or two out. Like if I didn't have these drains in, I would go back to work and be living normally. I have to consciously not lift stuff because I don't have any soreness to remind me to not do it.

My WLS was painless because my surgeon sucked out all of the air so I had zero gas pain. Just had that basic muscle soreness for a few days. My gallbladder surgery was pretty sore.

I can't wait to see what it all looks like tomorrow. I get to shower. I wanna know where my belly button is since he moved it. LOL.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Got my arms drains out in a record 4 days! Everything looks great! Here is my tummy today! Before and after. 20191104_183730.jpeg 20191122_120759.jpeg

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11/21/2019 at 7:49 AM, mousecat88 said:

I am not taking any pain meds EXCEPT before bed but only because of my herniated disc. Literally nothing relating directly to this surgery hurts. At all.

I had a Tummy Tuck with muscle repair and he pulled up my hooha region a bit in the process.

I am not using the recliner. It is not a power recliner so takes my core and arms to get out of it. Just sleeping on my sofa and in my bed.

I can lift my arms all the way up and brush my teeth and hair just fine. I can reach behind my back to rub my sore back, too. lol. Trying not to because I'm not "supposed to", but truly.... this is THE most painless procedure I've ever had.

I haven't pooped yet and I am nervous about that. But peeing is fine. I did accidentally drop a drain tube in the toilet. They are hooked onto my waistband and came off. Uuughgghhhhh.

I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow for a followup.

He said once my drains are consistently under 30mls they came come out and 3 of the 4 have been under 5ml, the other is at 25. I hope to get these suckers out soon!

Honestly if it weren't for the back pain being aggravated by the muscle repair, I would feel 100% normal.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

If it's hard to pull the recliner level see if you can get a short piece of PVC pipe cut (maybe 8- 10 inches long) that will fit over it from the Home Depot. This will make the level longer and thus easier to pull it with less effort. It might be too hard still but in a few more day to a week having a longer lever might let you be able to use the recliner. Just try it when someone is there so you don't get stuck in the recliner. I read somewhere on this site about attaching your drains to a lanyard worn around your neck so that you don't have to unpin them to go to the bathroom etc.. I don't know if that would work for everyone but I guess it did for someone else.

I am so glad to hear your recovery is going so well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so glad you are healing so nicely. When I had my TT one of my drains was filling to quickly and ended up back at the hospital one evening for emergency surgery. So glad you had success!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad you're doing so well! :)

May I ask who your surgeon was? (You can pm if you don't want to put it here)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad you're doing so well! [emoji4]
May I ask who your surgeon was? (You can pm if you don't want to put it here)

My surgeon was Paul Lambert in Winchester VA.

I already got my arm drains out (on Friday). Washing my binders now. Feels weird without having the abdominal binder on. Not painful, just like everything is just going to spill out. lol. I just ordered a second one. Tummy drains come out Wednesday. Hugging my Baribear for compression. Sweet, sweet compression. lol.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

here's some random pics since I have all my compression binders off. I am 4 days post-op.20191123_191004.jpeg 20191123_191019.jpeg 20191123_191043.jpeg 20191123_191033.jpeg 20191123_191117.jpeg

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! Your arms are looking so much smaller already! Are they even swollen at all?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! Your arms are looking so much smaller already! Are they even swollen at all?

I think so. They seem puffy. The outer arms seems smaller than the inner, but it could be all the stitching. I'm sure itll be a while before everything settles down. I can poke my stomach and feel some Fluid in there.

My compression garments for my arms don't fit right. It rides up my neck and is giving me a rash so I have them ghetto rigged til Wednesday for my next appt. I found really nice ones on Amazon I want instead. The steristrips are already peeling off my stomach. I don't think he chopped TOO much off my hip tattoo. lmao. I also need to find out when I can wear deodorant because I have pit-staples.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm so happy you're doing well. I'm not going to lie though. The thought of pit staples just made the hair stand up on my arms and I might have just died a little inside.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

anyone considering an arm lift or had one recently should buy this BRABIC Upper Arm Shaper Post Surgical Slimmer Compression Sleeves Humpback Posture Corrector Tops Shapewear for Women (Beige, S) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2TWL6F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2Wz3DbE7DE8XR

I got two separate arms that hooked in the back that were crap. This is so much better and looks like a sleek off shoulder blouse. lol. And compresses the pits.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×